0% found this document useful (0 votes)
69 views28 pages

Configuring Load Balancing On The GGSN

This document discusses configuring load balancing on a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) using Cisco IOS Server Load Balancing (SLB) features. It allows distributing GTP sessions across multiple GGSNs for increased reliability. GTP load balancing can operate with Cisco GGSNs or non-Cisco GGSNs. It uses the Cisco IOS SLB on the supervisor engine to select a real GGSN based on load for each Create PDP Context request to the GGSN virtual IP.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
69 views28 pages

Configuring Load Balancing On The GGSN

This document discusses configuring load balancing on a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) using Cisco IOS Server Load Balancing (SLB) features. It allows distributing GTP sessions across multiple GGSNs for increased reliability. GTP load balancing can operate with Cisco GGSNs or non-Cisco GGSNs. It uses the Cisco IOS SLB on the supervisor engine to select a real GGSN based on load for each Create PDP Context request to the GGSN virtual IP.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 28

CH A P T E R 13

Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN

This chapter describes how to configure a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) to support load
balancing functions using the Cisco IOS software Server Load Balancing (SLB) feature. GTP load
balancing provides increased reliability and availability when you are using multiple Cisco GGSNs or
non-Cisco GGSNs in your GPRS/UMTS network.
For complete descriptions of the GGSN commands in this chapter, refer to the Cisco GGSN Command
Reference for the Cisco GGSN release you are using. For complete descriptions of the other Cisco IOS
SLB commands in this chapter, refer to the IOS Server Load Balancing feature module.
To locate documentation of other commands that appear in this chapter, use the command reference
master index or search online.
This chapter includes the following sections:
• Overview of GTP Load Balancing, page 13-1
• Configuring GTP Load Balancing, page 13-7
• Monitoring and Maintaining the Cisco IOS SLB Feature, page 13-25
• Configuration Examples, page 13-26

Overview of GTP Load Balancing


This section provides an overview of the Cisco IOS SLB feature and GTP load balancing support on the
GGSN. It includes the following sections:
• Overview of Cisco IOS SLB, page 13-1
• Overview of GTP Load Balancing, page 13-2
• GTP SLB Restrictions, page 13-7

Overview of Cisco IOS SLB


The Cisco SLB feature is an IOS-based solution that provides IP server load balancing. Using the
Cisco IOS SLB feature, you can define a virtual server that represents a group of real servers in a cluster
of network servers called a server farm. In this environment, the clients connect to the IP address of the
virtual server. When a client initiates a connection to the virtual server, the Cisco IOS SLB feature chooses
a real server for the connection, based on a configured load-balancing algorithm.
The Cisco IOS SLB feature also provides firewall load balancing, which balances flows across a group
of firewalls called a firewall farm.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-1
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Overview of GTP Load Balancing

Figure 13-1 presents a logical view of a simple Cisco IOS SLB network.

Figure 13-1 Logical View of IOS SLB

Virtual server

Real Real Real


server server server

IOS SLB
device

45770
Client Client

Client Client

Overview of GTP Load Balancing


Cisco IOS SLB provides GGSN GTP load balancing and increased reliability and availability for the
GGSN. GGSN GTP load balancing supports a subset of the overall server load-balancing functions that
are available in the Cisco IOS SLB feature. Therefore, the full scope of Cisco IOS SLB functions is not
applicable to the general packet radio service/Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
(GPRS/UMTS) environment. For more information about unsupported functions, see the “GTP SLB
Restrictions” section on page 13-7.
When configuring GTP load balancing, a pool of GGSNs is configured as a server farm in
Cisco IOS SLB. These are the GGSNs across which you want to load-balance GTP sessions. A virtual
server instance is configured in Cisco IOS SLB to load balance GTP sessions across the GGSN farm.
This virtual server is associated with the server farm that you configured in Cisco IOS SLB.
When configuring GTP load balancing, note the following:
• GTP load balancing is supported by using the Cisco IOS SLB feature on the supervisor engine.
• The IOS SLB on the supervisor engine processes only the Create PDP Context requests sent to the
GGSN virtual IP address. When a Create PDP Context request is received, a real GGSN is selected
based on the load at that time. Once the PDP context has been established, all subsequent
transactions corresponding to the PDP contexts occurs directly between that GGSN and
corresponding SGSN, bypassing the Cisco IOS SLB on the supervisor engine.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-2 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Overview of GTP Load Balancing

• In addition:
– Multiple virtual servers are supported
– Load-balanced real servers can be internal or external to the Cisco 7600 chassis
– Each virtual server must have one unique public IP address that is reachable from the SGSNs
– Each virtual server can correspond to one or more APNs.
– The DNS server used by the SGSNs to resolve the APNs to a GGSN IP address should use the
GGSN virtual IP address.

Supported GTP Load Balancing Types


The Cisco IOS SLB supports two types of GTP load balancing:
• GTP Load Balancing Without GTP Cause Code Inspection, page 13-3
• GTP Load Balancing With GTP Cause Code Inspection, page 13-3

GTP Load Balancing Without GTP Cause Code Inspection

GTP load balancing without GTP cause code inspection enabled is recommended for Cisco GGSNs. It
has the following characteristics:
• Can operate in dispatched mode or in directed server Network Address Translation (NAT) mode, but
not in directed client NAT mode. In dispatched mode, the GGSNs must be Layer 2–adjacent to the
Cisco IOS SLB device.
• Does not support stateful backup.
• Delivers tunnel creation messages destined to the virtual GGSN IP address to one of the real
GGSNs, using the weighted round-robin load-balancing algorithm. See the “Weighted
Round-Robin” section on page 13-4 for more information about this algorithm.
• Requires Dynamic Feedback Protocol (DFP) to account for GTPv1 secondary PDP contexts.

GTP Load Balancing With GTP Cause Code Inspection

GTP load balancing with GTP cause code inspection enabled allows Cisco IOS SLB to monitor all
PDP context signaling flows to and from server farms. This enables Cisco IOS SLB to monitor GTP
failure cause codes, detecting system-level problems in both Cisco and non-Cisco GGSNs.
Table 13-1 lists the Create PDP Context response cause codes and the corresponding actions taken by
Cisco IOS SLB.

Table 13-1 PDP Create Response Cause Codes and Corresponding Cisco IOS SLB Actions

Cause Code Cisco IOS SLB Action


Request Accepted Establish session
No Resource Available Fail current real, reassign session, drop the response
All dynamic addresses are occupied Fail current real, reassign session, drop the response
No memory is available Fail current real, reassign session, drop the response
System Failure Fail current real, reassign session, drop the response
Missing or Unknown APN Forward the response
Unknown PDP Address or PDP type Forward the response

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-3
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Overview of GTP Load Balancing

Table 13-1 PDP Create Response Cause Codes and Corresponding Cisco IOS SLB Actions

Cause Code Cisco IOS SLB Action


User Authentication Failed Forward the response
Semantic error in TFT operation Forward the response
Syntactic error in TFT operation Forward the response
Semantic error in packet filter Forward the response
Syntactic error in packet filter Forward the response
Mandatory IE incorrect Forward the response
Mandatory IE missing Forward the response
Optional IE incorrect Forward the response
Invalid message format Forward the response
Version not supported Forward the response
PDP context without TFT already Fail current real, reassign session, drop the response
activated

GTP load balancing with GTP cause code inspection enabled has the following characteristics:
• Must operate in directed server NAT mode.
• Assigns PDP context creates from a specific International Mobile Subscriber ID (IMSI) to the same
GGSN, or, if GTP APN-aware load balancing is configured, to the same server farm.
• Supports stateful backup.
• Tracks the number of open PDP contexts for each GGSN or APN, which enables server farms to use
the weighted least connections (leastconns) algorithm for GTP load balancing. See the “Weighted
Least Connections” section on page 13-5 for more information about this algorithm.
• Enables Cisco IOS SLB to deny access to a virtual GGSN if the carrier code of the requesting IMSI
does not match a specified value.
• Enables Cisco IOS SLB to support secondary IPDP contexts, even without DFP.

Cisco IOS SLB Algorithms Supported for GTP Load Balancing


The following two Cisco IOS SLB algorithms are supported for GTP load balancing:
• Weighted Round-Robin, page 13-4
• Weighted Least Connections, page 13-5

Weighted Round-Robin

The weighted round- robin algorithm specifies that the real server used for a new connection to the
virtual server is chosen from the server farm in a circular fashion. Each real server is assigned a weight,
n, that represents its capacity to handle connections, as compared to the other real servers associated with
the virtual server. That is, new connections are assigned to a given real server n times before the next
real server in the server farm is chosen.
For example, assume a server farm made up of three real servers: ServerA with n = 3, ServerB with
n = 1, and ServerC with n = 2. The first three connections to the virtual server are assigned to ServerA,
the fourth connection to ServerB, and the fifth and sixth connections to ServerC.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-4 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Overview of GTP Load Balancing

Note Assigning a weight of n = 1 to all of the servers in the server farm configures the Cisco IOS SLB
device to use a simple round-robin algorithm.

GTP load balancing without GTP cause code inspection enabled requires the weighted round-robin
algorithm. A server farm that uses weighted least connections can be bound to a virtual server that
provides GTP load balancing without GTP cause code inspection enabled, but you cannot place that
virtual server INSERVICE. If you try to do so, Cisco IOS SLB issues an error message.

Weighted Least Connections

When GTP cause code inspection is enabled, GTP load balancing supports the Cisco IOS SLB weighted
least connections algorithm.
The weighted least connections algorithm specifies that the next real server chosen from a server farm
for a new connection to the virtual server is the server with the fewest active connections. Each real
server is assigned a weight for this algorithm, also. When weights are assigned, the server with the fewest
connections is determined on the basis of the number of active connections on each server and the
relative capacity of each server. The capacity of a given real server is calculated as the assigned weight
of that server divided by the sum of the assigned weights of all the real servers associated with that
virtual server, or n1/(n1+n2+n3...).
For example, assume a server farm made up of three real servers: ServerA with n = 3, ServerB with n =
1, and ServerC with n = 2. ServerA would have a calculated capacity of 3/(3+1+2), or half of all active
connections on the virtual server, ServerB would have a calculated capacity of one-sixth of all active
connections, and ServerC one-third of all active connections. At any point in time, the next connection
to the virtual server would be assigned to the real server whose number of active connections is farthest
below its calculated capacity.

Note Assigning a weight of n = 1 to all of the servers in the server farm configures the Cisco IOS SLB device
to use a simple least-connection algorithm.

GTP load balancing without GTP cause code inspection enabled does not support the weighted least
connections algorithm.

GTP load balancing with GTP cause code inspection does support the weighted least connections
algorithm.

Dynamic Feedback Protocol for Cisco IOS SLB


In GTP load balancing, Cisco IOS SLB detects when a PDP context is established, but it does not detect
when PDP contexts are cleared, and therefore it cannot determine the number of open PDP contexts for
each GGSN. Use the Cisco IOS SLB DFP to calculate GPRS/UMTS load-balancing weights
dynamically.
With Cisco IOS SLB DFP support, a DFP manager in a load-balancing environment can initiate a TCP
connection with a DFP agent. Thereafter, the DFP agent collects status information from one or more
real host servers, converts the information to relative weights, and reports the weights to the DFP
manager. The DFP manager factors in the weights when load balancing the real servers. In addition to
reporting at user-defined intervals, the DFP agent sends an early report if there is a sudden change in a
real server’s status.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-5
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Overview of GTP Load Balancing

The weights calculated by DFP override the static weights you define using the weight (server farm)
command. If DFP is removed from the network, Cisco IOS SLB reverts to the static weights.
You can define Cisco IOS SLB as a DFP manager, as a DFP agent for another DFP manager (such as
DistributedDirector), or as both at the same time. In such a configuration, Cisco IOS SLB sends periodic
reports to DistributedDirector, which uses the information to choose the best server farm for each new
connection request. Cisco IOS SLB then uses the same information to choose the best real server within
the chosen server farm.
DFP also supports the use of multiple DFP agents from different client subsystems (such as
Cisco IOS SLB and GPRS/UMTS) at the same time.
In GTP load balancing, you can define Cisco IOS SLB as a DFP manager and define a DFP agent on
each GGSN in the server farm, and the DFP agent can report the weights of the GGSNs. The DFP agents
calculate the weight of each GGSN, based on CPU utilization, processor memory, and the maximum
number of PDP contexts that can be activated for each GGSN.
The weight for each GGSN is based primarily on the ratio of existing PDP contexts on the GGSN to the
maximum number of allowed PDP contexts.
By default, the CPU and memory utilization become part of the DFP weight calculation only after the
utilization exceeds 85 percent. You can use the cpu-load and mem-load keyword options added to the
gprs dfp global configuration command to customize the percentage of utilization at which the CPU and
memory loads are included in the weight calculation.

Note Because the maximum number of allowed PDP contexts is considered to be the GGSNs maximum load,
you should carefully consider the value that you configure in the gprs maximum-pdp-context-allowed
command, which defaults to 10,000 PDP contexts.

GTP IMSI Sticky Database Support


Cisco IOS SLB can select a GGSN, or APN if GTP APN-aware load balancing is configured, for a given
International Mobile Subscriber ID (IMSI), and forward all subsequent Packet Data Protocol (PDP)
create requests from the same IMSI to the selected GGSN or APN.
To enable this feature, Cisco IOS SLB uses a GTP IMSI sticky database, which maps each IMSI to its
corresponding real server, in addition to its session database.
The Cisco IOS SLB creates a sticky database object when it processes the first Create PDP Context
request for a given IMSI. The Cisco IOS SLB removes the sticky object when it receives a notification
to do so from the real server, or as a result of inactivity. When the last PDP belonging to an IMSI is
deleted, the GGSN notifies Cisco IOS SLB to remove the sticky object.

Sticky Database Support and GTP APN-Aware Load Balancing


The sticky IMSI feature prevents sessions from the same user for the same APN being assigned to
different GGSNs. With server farm selection based on APN (APN-aware load balancing), the sticky
IMSI feature ensures that a sticky entry is for the same server farm based on the APN before the IMSI
can be issued. If a new Create PDP Context request is for a different APN, which causes GTP SLB to
select a different server farm than the one for which the sticky entry was created, the server farm is
respected over the real because if the real belongs to a different server farm, the serverfarm might not
support the APN.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-6 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

GTP APN-Aware Load Balancing


With Cisco IOS software release 12.2(18) SRB and later on the supervisor engine, GTP APN-aware load
balancing can be configured.
Using the GTP APN-aware feature, a set of APNs can be mapped to a server farm in the Cisco IOS SLB.
Multiple server farms can be created, each supporting a different set of APNs. Create PDP context
requests are balanced across APNs.
For information on configuring GTP APN-aware load balancing, see the “Configuring GTP APN-Aware
Load Balancing” section on page 13-15.

GTP SLB Restrictions


The following restrictions apply when configuring GTP load balancing:
• For GTP load balancing without GTP cause code inspection enabled:
– Operates in either dispatched mode or directed server NAT mode only
– Cannot load balance network-initiated PDP context requests
– Does not support the following Cisco IOS SLB functions:
- Bind IDs
- Client-assigned load balancing
- Slow Start
- Stateful backup (not supported on the Cisco 7600 platform)
- Weighted least connections load-balancing algorithm
• For GTP load balancing with GTP cause code inspection enabled:
– Operates in directed server NAT mode only
– Cannot load-balance network-initiated PDP context requests
– Requires either the SGSN or the GGSN to echo its peer
– Inbound and outbound traffic should be routed via Cisco IOS SLB
– Does not support the following Cisco IOS SLB functions:
- Bind IDs
- Client-assigned load balancing
- Slow Start
- Sticky connections

Configuring GTP Load Balancing


This section includes the following topics:
• GTP Load Balancing Configuration Task List, page 13-8
• Configuration Guidelines, page 13-8

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-7
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

GTP Load Balancing Configuration Task List


This section lists the tasks used to configure GTP load balancing. Detailed configuration information is
contained in the referenced sections of this document or other documents. Required and optional tasks
are indicated.
1. On the Cisco IOS SLB, complete the following tasks:
a. Configuring a Server Farm and Real Server, page 13-9 (Required)
b. Configuring a Virtual Server, page 13-11 (Required)
c. Configuring a GSN Idle Timer, page 13-14 (Optional if GTP cause code inspection is enabled)
d. Configuring DFP Support, page 13-14 (Optional, but recommended)
e. Configuring GTP APN-Aware Load Balancing, page 13-15 (Optional)
2. On the GGSN, complete the following tasks:
a. Configuring a Loopback Interface for GTP SLB, page 13-19 (Required)
b. Configuring DFP Support on the GGSN, page 13-20 (Optional, but recommended)
c. Configuring Messaging from the GGSN to the Cisco IOS SLB, page 13-21 (Optional)
3. Routing each GGSN to each associated serving GPRS support node (SGSN) (Required)
The route can be static or dynamic but the GGSN needs to be able to reach the SGSN. For more
information, see the “Configuring a Route to the SGSN” section on page 8-4.
4. On the SGSN, route each SGSN to the virtual templates on each associated GGSN, and to the GGSN
load-balancing virtual server (Required)

Configuration Guidelines
When configuring the network shared by Cisco IOS SLB and the GGSNs, keep the following
considerations in mind:
• Specify static routes (using ip route commands) and real server IP addresses (using real commands)
so that the Layer 2 information is correct and unambiguous.
• Configure the static route from the SGSN to the virtual server.
• Choose subnets carefully, using one of the following methods:
– Do not overlap virtual template address subnets.
– Specify next-hop addresses to real servers, not to interfaces on those servers.
• Cisco IOS SLB supports two types of GTP load balancing:
– GTP Load Balancing Without GTP Cause Code Inspection, page 13-3
– GTP Load Balancing With GTP Cause Code Inspection, page 13-3
• Cisco IOS SLB supports both GTP v0 and GTP v1. Support for GTP enables Cisco IOS SLB to
become “GTP aware,” extending Cisco IOS SLB’s knowledge into Layer 5.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-8 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

• On the Cisco 7600 platform, the following apply:


– Multiple GTP virtual servers are supported.
– Load balanced real servers can be internal or external to the Cisco 7600 chassis.
– Each GTP virtual server must have one unique public IP address that is reachable from the
SGSNs.
– Each virtual server can correspond to one or more APNs.
– The DNS server used by the SGSNs to resolve the APNs to a GGSN IP address should use the
GTP virtual IP address.
• When configuring GTP APN-aware load balancing, note the following:
– Cisco IOS software release 12.2(18) SRB and later is required on the supervisor engine and
Cisco GGSN Release 7.0, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(9)XG and later is required on the GGSN.
– GTP load balancing with GTP cause code inspection enabled is not supported.
– For a given IOS SLB GTP map, you can configure up to 100 apn commands, however, because
APN maps can impact performance, we recommend that you do not configure more than 10
APN maps per vserver.
– The primary and backup virtual servers should have the same mapping rules.
– The same real cannot be configured in multiple server farms.

Configuring the Cisco IOS SLB for GTP Load Balancing


To configure GTP load balancing, you must complete the following tasks on the Cisco IOS SLB:
• Configuring a Server Farm and Real Server, page 13-9 (Required)
• Configuring a Virtual Server, page 13-11 (Required)
• Configuring a GSN Idle Timer, page 13-14 (Optional)
• Configuring DFP Support, page 13-14 (Optional, but recommended)
• Configuring GTP APN-Aware Load Balancing, page 13-15 (Optional)
• Verifying the Cisco IOS SLB Configuration, page 13-18 (Optional)

Configuring a Server Farm and Real Server


When you configure the server farm and real server on the Cisco IOS SLB for GTP load balancing, use
the following guidelines to ensure proper configuration:
• If GTP cause code inspection is not enabled, accept the default setting (the weighted round-robin
algorithm) for the predictor command.
If GTP cause code inspection is enabled, you can specify either the weighted round-robin algorithm
(roundrobin) or the weighted least connections (leastconns) algorithm.
• Specify the IP addresses (virtual template addresses, for Cisco GGSNs) of the real servers
performing the GGSN function, using the real command.
• Specify a reassign threshold less than the SGSN’s N3-REQUESTS counter value by using the
reassign command.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-9
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

To configure a Cisco IOS SLB server farm, use the following commands, beginning in global
configuration mode:

Command Purpose
Step 1 Router-SLB(config)# ip slb serverfarm Adds a server farm definition to the Cisco IOS SLB
serverfarm-name configuration, and enters server farm configuration
Router(config-slb-sfarm)#
mode.
Step 2 Router-SLB(config-slb-sfarm)# predictor [roundrobin Specifies the algorithm to be used to determine how a
| leastconns] real server is selected.
Note In GTP load balancing without GTP cause
code inspection enabled, you must accept the
default setting (the weighted round-robin
algorithm).

See the following sections for more details about each


algorithm:
• Weighted Round-Robin, page 13-4
• Weighted Least Connections, page 13-5
Step 3 Router-SLB(config-slb-sfarm)# nat server (Required if GTP cause code inspection is enabled;
optional for GTP load balancing without cause code
inspection enabled) Configures NAT server address
translation mode on the server farm.
Step 4 Router-SLB(config-slb-sfarm)# real ip-address [port] Identifies a real GGSN as a member of a server farm,
using the IP address of the GGSN’s virtual template
interface, and enters real server configuration mode.
Step 5 Router-SLB(config-slb-real)# faildetect numconns (Optional) Specifies the number of consecutive
number-conns [numclients number-clients] connection failures and, optionally, the number of
unique client connection failures, that constitute
failure of the real server.
Step 6 Router-SLB(config-slb-real)# maxconns number-conns (Optional) Specifies the maximum number of active
connections allowed on the real server at one time.
Note In GTP load balancing without cause code
inspection enabled, the impact of this
command is minimal because a session will
last no longer than the duration specified with
the ip gtp request command.
Step 7 Router-SLB(config-slb-real)# reassign threshold (Optional) Specifies the threshold of consecutive
unacknowledged synchronizations or Create PDP
Context requests that, if exceeded, results in an
attempted connection to a different real server.
Step 8 Router-SLB(config-slb-real)# retry retry-value (Optional) Specifies the interval, in seconds, to wait
between the detection of a server failure and the next
attempt to connect to the failed server.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-10 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Command Purpose
Step 9 Router-SLB(config-slb-real)# weight weighting-value (Optional) Specifies the real server’s workload
capacity relative to other servers in the server farm.
Note If you use DFP, the static weights you define
using the weight (server farm) command are
overridden by the weights calculated by DFP.
If DFP is removed from the network, Cisco
IOS SLB reverts to the static weights.
Step 10 Router-SLB(config-slb-real)# inservice Enables the real server for use by Cisco IOS SLB.

Configuring a Virtual Server


When you configure the virtual server on the Cisco IOS SLB for GTP load balancing, use the following
guidelines to ensure proper configuration:
• Configure a static route from the SGSN to the virtual server.
• Specify a virtual GGSN IP address as the virtual server, and use the udp keyword option.
• To load-balance GTP v1 sessions, specify port number 2123, if the GGSNs and SGSNs are in
compliance with the ETSI standard, or specify port number 0 or any to configure an all-port virtual
server (that is, a virtual server that accepts flows destined for all ports).
• To load-balance GTP v0 sessions, specify port number 3386, if the GGSNs and SGSNs are in
compliance with the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) standard, or specify
port number 0 or any to configure an all-port virtual server.
• To enable GTP load balancing without GTP cause code inspection, specify the service gtp keyword
option.
• To enable GTP load balancing with GTP cause code inspection, specify the service gtp-inspect
keyword option.
In GTP load balancing without GTP cause code inspection enabled, when you configure the GTP
idle timer using the idle command, specify a GTP idle timer greater than the longest possible
interval between PDP context requests on the SGSN.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-11
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

To configure an Cisco IOS SLB virtual server, use the following commands, beginning in global
configuration mode:

Command Purpose
Step 1 Router-SLB(config)# ip slb vserver Identifies a virtual server, and enters virtual server
virtual_server-name configuration mode.
Step 2 Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# virtual ip-addr Specifies the virtual server IP address, type of
[netmask [group]] {esp | gre | protocol} connection, and optional TCP or UDP port number,
Internet Key Exchange (IKE) Internet Security
or
Association and Key Management Protocol
Router(config-slb-vserver)# virtual ip-addr (ISAKMP) or Wireless Session Protocol (WSP)
[netmask [group]] {tcp | udp} [port | any]
setting, and service coupling.
[service service]
Note For GTP load balancing:

– Specify a virtual GGSN IP address as the


virtual server, and specify the udp keyword
option.
– To load-balance GTP v1 sessions, specify
port number 2123, if the GGSNs and SGSNs
are in compliance with the ETSI standard, or
specify port number 0 or any to configure an
all-port virtual server (that is, a virtual server
that accepts flows destined for all ports).
– To load-balance GTP v0 sessions, specify
port number 3386, if the GGSNs and SGSNs
are in compliance with the ETSI standard, or
specify port number 0 or any to configure an
all-port virtual server.
– To enable GTP load balancing without GTP
cause code inspection, specify the
service gtp keyword option.
– To enable GTP load balancing with GTP
cause code inspection, specify the
service gtp-inspect keyword option.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-12 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Command Purpose
Step 3 Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm Associates a real server farm with a virtual server.
primary-farm [backup backup-farm [sticky]] [map
map-id priority priority] • backup—(Optional) Configures a backup server
farm
• backup backup-farm [sticky]—(Optional)
Configures a backup server farm and optionally
specifies that sticky connections are to be used in
the backup server farm.
• map map-id priority priority—(Optional)
Associates an IOS SLB protocol map to a server
farm for GTP APN-aware load balancing and
defines the priority for that map. Maps are
searched based on priority. The lower the
number, the higher the priority.
Note Multiple instances of the serverfarm
command are allowed if configured with the
map keyword option. The default server farm
(without the map keyword option) is limited
to a single instance.

Note To change map configurations the virtual


server must be taken out of service.

Note The NAT modes on the primary and backup


server farms for each map must match.
Step 4 Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# idle [gtp request] (Optional) Specifies the minimum amount of time
duration that Cisco IOS SLB maintains connection context in
the absence of packet activity.
The idle command specified without the gtp request
keyword option controls the GTP idle timer for GTP
load balancing without cause code inspection enable.
The idle gtp request command controls the GTP idle
timer for both GTP load balancing without cause code
inspection enabled and for GTP load balancing with
cause code inspection enabled. The idle gtp request
is the recommended configuration.
Note In GTP load balancing without GTP cause
code inspection enabled, specify a GTP idle
timer greater than the longest possible
interval between PDP context requests on
the SGSN.
Step 5 Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# inservice Enables the virtual server for use by Cisco IOS SLB.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-13
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Command Purpose
Step 6 Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# client {ip-address (Optional) Specifies which clients are allowed to use
network-mask [exclude] | gtp carrier-code [code]} the virtual server.
Note GTP load balancing supports only the
gtp carrier-code option, and only if GTP
cause code inspection is enabled.
Step 7 Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# replicate casa (Optional) Configures a stateful backup of
listen-ip remote-ip port [interval] [password [0 | Cisco IOS SLB decision tables to a backup switch.
7] password timeout]
Note GTP load balancing without GTP cause code
inspection enabled does not support this
command.

Configuring a GSN Idle Timer


When GTP cause code inspection is enabled, you can configure the amount of time that the Cisco
IOS SLB will maintain sessions to and from and idle GGSN or SGSN.
To configure a GSN idle timer, enter the following command in global configuration mode on the
Cisco IOS SLB:

Command Purpose
Router-SLB(config)# ip slb timers gtp gsn duration Changes the amount of time that Cisco IOS SLB maintains
sessions to and from an idle GGSN or SGSN.

Configuring DFP Support


You can define Cisco IOS SLB as a DFP manager, as a DFP agent for another DFP manager (such as
DistributedDirector), or as both at the same time. Depending on your network configuration, you might
enter the commands for configuring Cisco IOS SLB as a DFP manager and the commands for
configuring Cisco IOS SLB as a DFP agent on the same device or on different devices.
To configure Cisco IOS SLB as a DFP manager, and to identify a DFP agent with which Cisco IOS SLB
can initiate connections, use the following commands, beginning in global configuration mode:

Command Description
Step 1 Router-SLB(config)# ip slb dfp [password [0|7] Configures DFP, supplies an optional password,
password [timeout]] and enters DFP configuration mode.
Step 2 Router-SLB(config-slb-dfp)# agent ip_address Identifies a DFP agent to which Cisco IOS SLB can
port-number [timeout [retry_count [retry_interval]]] connect.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-14 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Configuring GTP APN-Aware Load Balancing


GTP APN-aware load balancing enables you to load balance across APNs.
When implementing GTP APN-aware load balancing, a set of APNs must be defined in a Cisco IOS SLB
GTP map created on the IOS SLB. Then, the IOS SLB GTP map must be associated with a server farm
under the virtual template on the IOS SLB.
To configure GTP APN-aware load balancing, complete the tasks in the following sections:
• Configuring a Cisco IOS SLB GTP Map for GTP APN-Aware Load Balancing, page 13-15
• Associating an IOS SLB GTP Map to a Server Farm on the Virtual Server, page 13-16

Prerequisites and Restrictions


When configuring GTP APN-aware load balancing, note the following:
• Cisco IOS software release 12.2(18) SRB and later is required on the supervisor engine and Cisco
GGSN Release 7.0, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(9)XG and later is required on the GGSN.
• GTP load balancing with GTP cause code inspection enabled is not supported.
• For a given IOS SLB GTP map, you can configure up to 100 apn commands, however, because APN
maps can impact performance, we recommend that you do not configure more than 10 APN maps
per vserver.
• The primary and backup virtual servers should have the same mapping rules.
• The same real cannot be configured in multiple server farms.

Configuring a Cisco IOS SLB GTP Map for GTP APN-Aware Load Balancing

To enable APN-aware load balancing, an IOS SLB GTP map that groups certain APNs must be
configured.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-15
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

To configure an IOS SLB GTP map for load balancing across APNs, use the following commands,
beginning in global configuration mode:

Command Purpose
Step 1 Router-SLB(config)# ip slb map map-id protocol Configures an IOS SLB protocol map and enter
SLB map configuration mode.
• map-id—IOS SLB protocol map identifier. The
valid range is from 1 to 255. The map ID must be
globally unique across all service types.
• protocol—Protocol associated with the map.
This should match the vserver service type.
– gtp—For general packet radio service
(GPRS) load balancing, configures an
IOS SLB GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP)
map and enters SLB GTP map configuration
mode.
– radius—For RADIUS load balancing,
configures an IOS SLB RADIUS map and
enters SLB RADIUS map configuration
mode.
Note With this release, GTP maps are supported.
Step 2 Router-SLB(config-slb-map)# apn string Configures an ASCII regular expression string to be
matched against the access point name (APN) for
general packet radio service (GPRS) load balancing.
Note For a given IOS SLB GTP map, you can
configure up to 100 apn commands, however,
because APN maps can impact performance,
we recommend that you do not configure
more than 10 APN maps per vserver.

Associating an IOS SLB GTP Map to a Server Farm on the Virtual Server

After an IOS SLB GTP map has been created, it must be associated to the server farm when configuring
the virtual server.

Note To change map configurations the virtual server must be taken out of service. The NAT modes on the
primary and backup server farms for each map must match.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-16 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

To specify a IOS SLB GTP map when associating a server farm with the virtual server, use the following
command in virtual server configuration mode on the IOS SLB:

Command Purpose
Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# serverfarm Associates a real server farm with a virtual server.
primary-farm [backup backup-farm [sticky]] [map map-id
priority priority] • backup—(Optional) Configures a backup server farm
• backup backup-farm [sticky]—(Optional) Configures
a backup server farm and optionally specifies that sticky
connections are to be used in the backup server farm.
• map map-id priority priority—(Optional) Associates
an IOS SLB protocol map to a server farm for GTP
APN-aware load balancing and defines the priority for
that map. Maps are searched based on priority. The
lower the number, the higher the priority.
Note Multiple instances of the serverfarm command are
allowed if configured with the map keyword option.
The default server farm (without the map keyword
option) is limited to a single instance.

Note To change map configurations the virtual server


must be taken out of service.

Note The NAT modes on the primary and backup server


farms for each map must match.

GTP APN-Aware Load Balancing Configuration Example

The following configuration example, from the IOS SLB, shows the IOS SLB GTP map configuration,
and the map-to-server farm association under the virtual template.
!
/* server-farm configurations */
ip slb serverfarm farm1
real 10.0.0.1
inservice
real 10.0.0.2
inservice
ip slb serverfarm farm4
real 10.0.0.7
inservice
real 10.0.0.8
inservice
ip slb serverfarm farm5
real 10.0.0.9
inservice
real 10.0.0.10
inservice
!
/* GTP maps for GTP APN-aware SLB */
ip slb map 1 gtp
apn www.*.edu
ip slb map 4 gtp
apn abc.company1.com
apn xyz.company2.com
ip slb map 5 gtp

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-17
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

apn company3.com
!
/* associate the GTP map with server farm under virtual server */
ip slb vserver GGSN_SERVER
virtual 10.10.10.10 udp 0 service gtp
serverfarm farm1 map 1 priority 3
serverfarm farm2 backup farm4 map 1 priority 2
serverfarm farm4 map 4 priority 5
serverfarm farm5 map 5 priority 4
serverfarm farm6

Verifying the Cisco IOS SLB Configuration


This section describes how to verify the Cisco IOS SLB configuration. It includes the following topics:
• Verifying the Virtual Server, page 13-18
• Verifying the Server Farm, page 13-18
• Verifying Cisco IOS SLB Connectivity, page 13-19

Verifying the Virtual Server

The following show ip slb vserver command verifies the configuration of the virtual servers
PUBLIC_HTTP and RESTRICTED_HTTP:
Router-SLB# show ip slb vserver

slb vserver prot virtual state conns


-------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC_HTTP TCP 10.0.0.1:80 OPERATIONAL 0
RESTRICTED_HTTP TCP 10.0.0.2:80 OPERATIONAL 0
IOSSLB#

Verifying the Server Farm

The following show ip slb reals command displays the status of server farms PUBLIC and
RESTRICTED, the associated real servers, and their status:
Router-SLB# show ip slb real

real farm name weight state conns


---------------------------------------------------------------------
10.1.1.1 PUBLIC 8 OPERATIONAL 0
10.1.1.2 PUBLIC 8 OPERATIONAL 0
10.1.1.3 PUBLIC 8 OPERATIONAL 0
10.1.1.20 RESTRICTED 8 OPERATIONAL 0
10.1.1.21 RESTRICTED 8 OPERATIONAL 0
IOSSLB#

The following show ip slb serverfarm command displays the configuration and status of server farms
PUBLIC and RESTRICTED:
Router-SLB# show ip slb serverfarm

server farm predictor nat reals bind id


---------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC ROUNDROBIN none 3 0
RESTRICTED ROUNDROBIN none 2 0
IOSSLB#

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-18 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Verifying Cisco IOS SLB Connectivity

To verify that the Cisco IOS SLB feature has been installed and is operating correctly, ping the real
servers from the Cisco IOS SLB switch, and then ping the virtual servers from the clients.
The following show ip slb stats command displays detailed information about the Cisco IOS SLB
network status:

Router-SLB# show ip slb stats


Pkts via normal switching: 0
Pkts via special switching: 0
Pkts via slb routing: 0
Pkts Dropped: 0
Connections Created: 0
Connections Established: 0
Connections Destroyed: 0
Connections Reassigned: 0
Zombie Count: 0
Connections Reused: 0
Connection Flowcache Purges: 0
Failed Connection Allocs: 0
Failed Real Assignments: 0
RADIUS framed-ip Sticky Count:0
RADIUS username Sticky Count: 0

See the “Monitoring and Maintaining the Cisco IOS SLB Feature” section on page 13-25 for additional
commands used to verify Cisco IOS SLB networks and connections.

Configuring the GGSN for GTP Load Balancing


To configure GTP load balancing on the GGSN, complete the tasks in the following sections:
• Configuring a Loopback Interface for GTP SLB, page 13-19 (Required if using dispatched mode
without GTP cause code inspection enabled)
• Configuring DFP Support on the GGSN, page 13-20 (Optional, but recommended)

Configuring a Loopback Interface for GTP SLB


To enable GTP load balancing, a loopback interface must be configured with the same IP address as the
virtual server on the Cisco IOS SLB on each GGSN in a farm.
To create a loopback interface, use the following commands, beginning in global configuration mode:

Command Description
Step 1 Router-GGSN(config)# interface loopback number Creates a loopback interface. A loopback interface
is a virtual interface that is always up.
Step 2 Router-GGSN(config-if)# ip address ip-address mask Assigns an IP address to the loopback interface.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-19
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Configuring DFP Support on the GGSN


To configure DFP support for GTP SLB, you must complete the following tasks:
• Configuring the GGSN as a DFP Agent, page 13-20
• Configuring the DFP Weight for a GGSN, page 13-20
• Configuring the Maximum Number of PDP Contexts for a GGSN, page 13-21

Configuring the GGSN as a DFP Agent

For complete information on configuring a DFP agent, refer to the DFP Agent Subsystem feature module.
To define the port number to be used by the DFP manager (the Cisco IOS SLB in this instance) to connect
to the DFP agent, enter the following commands in order, beginning in global configuration mode:

Command Description
Step 1 Router-GGSN(config)# ip dfp agent gprs Identifies a DFP agent subsystem and initiates DFP
agent configuration mode.
Step 2 Router-GGSN(config-dfp)# interval seconds (Optional) Configures a DFP agent weight
recalculation interval.
Step 3 Router-GGSN(config-dfp)# password [0|7] password Optional) Configures a DFP agent password for
[timeout] MD5 authentication.
Step 4 Router-GGSN(config-dfp)# port port-number Defines the port number to be used by the DFP
manager to connect to the DFP agent.
Step 5 Router-GGSN(config-dfp)# inservice Enables the DFP agent for communication with a
DFP manager. A DFP agent is inactive until both of
the following conditions are met:
• The DFP agent has been enabled using the
inservice (DFP agent) command.
• The client subsystem has changed the DFP
agent's state to ACTIVE.

Configuring the DFP Weight for a GGSN

If you use DFP with GTP load balancing, each GGSN that acts as a DFP agent has a maximum weight
that it can send to a DFP manager. For each GGSN, you can accept the default maximum weight (85%),
or you can specify a different maximum weight. You can also configure the percentage of utilization at
which the CPU and memory loads are included in the weight calculation using the cpu-load and
mem-load keyword options.
To specify the maximum weight for a GGSN, use the following command in global configuration mode
on the GGSN:

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-20 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Command Purpose
Router-GGSN(config)# gprs dfp {max-weight max-weight | Specifies DFP weight parameters of a GGSN that is acting
min-cpu-load min-cpu-load | mem-load min-mem-load} as a DFP agent, where:
• max-weight—Specifies the maximum weight sent by
the GGSN, acting as a DFP agent, to a DFP manager.
The valid range is 1 to 100. The default is 8.
• min-cpu-load—Specifies the minimum percentage at
which to start including the CPU load in the DFP weight
calculation. The valid range is 10 to 75 percent.
• mem-load—Specifies the minimum percentage at
which to start including the memory load in the DFP
weight calculation. The valid range is 10 to 75 percent

Configuring the Maximum Number of PDP Contexts for a GGSN

If you use DFP with GTP load balancing, you must specify a maximum number of PDP contexts for each
GGSN, using the gprs maximum-pdp-context-allowed command. Do not accept the default value of
10000 PDP contexts. Significantly lower values, including the default value of 10,000, can impact
capacity in a GPRS/UMTS load-balancing environment.

Note DFP weighs PPP PDPs against IP PDPs, with one PPP PDP equal to 8 IPv4 PDPs. One IPv6 PDP counts
as four IPv4 PDPs. Therefore, when using DFP, be aware that the configured maximum number of PDP
contexts affects the GGSN weight. The lower the maximum number of PDP contexts, the lower the
weight, when all other parameters remain the same.

To configure a maximum number of PDP contexts for a GGSN, use the following command in global
configuration mode on the GGSN:

Command Purpose
Router-GGSN(config)# gprs maximum-pdp-context-allowed Specifies the maximum number of PDP contexts (mobile
[pdp-contexts] sessions) that can be activated on the GGSN.

Configuring Messaging from the GGSN to the Cisco IOS SLB


The GGSN-IOS SLB messaging feature enables you to configure the GGSN to notify the Cisco IOS SLB
when a certain condition exists that affects a session forwarded by the Cisco IOS SLB. The notification
also instructs the Cisco IOS SLB on how to react to the condition.
There are two types of GGSN-IOS SLB notifications that can be configured using the gprs slb notify
command—CAC failure notifications and delete notifications (for GTP IMSI sticky database support).
The following sections describe how to configure each of them:
• Configuring Support for GGSN-IOS SLB Messaging CAC Failure Notifications, page 13-22
• Configuring Support for GGSN-IOS SLB Messaging Delete Notifications (GTP IMSI Sticky
Database Support), page 13-23

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-21
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Configuring Support for GGSN-IOS SLB Messaging CAC Failure Notifications

The GGSN can be configured to notify the Cisco IOS SLB when a UMTS QoS CAC failure has caused
a Create PDP Context request to be rejected.
CAC failure notifications sent by the GGSN include the following information elements (IEs):
• Type—Notification type (reassign).
• Session identifier—Session key on the Cisco IOS SLB that identifies the session to which a
notification belongs.
• Create response—Create response that the GGSN would send to the SGSN when a failure occurred.
If there is not an alternate GGSN available to which to reassign the session, or if the maximum
number of reassign attempts has been exceeded, the Cisco IOS SLB relays this information to the
SGSN.
The way you configure support for CAC failure notifications depends on whether the Cisco IOS SLB is
operating in dispatched mode or directed server NAT mode. For information on each procedure, see the
following sections:
• Configuring CAC Failure Notification Support when the Cisco IOS SLB is in Dispatched Mode,
page 13-22
• Configuring CAC Failure Notification Support when the Cisco IOS SLB is in Directed Server
NAT Mode, page 13-23

Configuring CAC Failure Notification Support when the Cisco IOS SLB is in Dispatched Mode
If the Cisco IOS SLB is functioning in dispatched mode, the virtual server that forwarded the Create PDP
Context request to the GGSN is known to the GGSN, and the GGSN can send CAC failure notifications
directly to the server.
To configure the GGSN to send CAC failure notifications to the Cisco IOS SLB when the Cisco IOS SLB
is in dispatched mode, use the following command in global configuration mode:

Command Description
Step 1 Router-GGSN(config)# gprs slb mode dispatched Defines dispatched as the Cisco IOS SLB operation
mode for GGSN-IOS SLB messaging.
Note The default is dispatched mode.
Step 2 Router-GGSN(config)# gprs slb notify cac-failure Enables the GGSN to notify the Cisco IOS SLB
when a UMTS QoS CAC failure has caused a
Create PDP Context request to be rejected.

To enable CAC failure notification support on the Cisco IOS SLB, use the following command in virtual
server mode:

Command Purpose
Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# gtp notification cac Enables support of GGSN-IOS SLB messaging CAC failure
count notifications and configures the maximum number of times
a rejected Create PDP Context can be reassigned to a new
real GGSN. The default is 2 (which is 3 real selections per
session, including the initial send).

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-22 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Configuring CAC Failure Notification Support when the Cisco IOS SLB is in Directed Server NAT Mode
If the Cisco IOS SLB is functioning in directed server NAT mode, the virtual server is not known to the
GGSN. Therefore, in addition to configuring the GGSN to send CAC failure notifications to the
Cisco IOS SLB, a list of virtual servers must be defined on the GGSN using the gprs slb vserver
command in global configuration mode, and the Cisco IOS SLB mode of operation must be defined using
the gprs slb mode command in global configuration mode.

Note If the Cisco IOS SLB operation mode and virtual servers are not defined on the GGSN when the
Cisco IOS SLB is functioning in directed server NAT mode, support for CAC failure notification is not
enabled, even if the gprs slb notify cac-failure and gtp notification cac commands are configured.

To enable the GGSN to send CAC failure notifications to the Cisco IOS SLB when the Cisco IOS SLB
is in directed server NAT mode, use the following commands while in global configuration mode:

Command Description
Step 1 Router-GGSN(config)# gprs slb mode directed Defines directed server NAT as the Cisco IOS SLB
operation mode for GGSN-IOS SLB messaging.
Note The default is dispatched mode.
Step 2 Router-GGSN(config)# gprs slb notify cac-failure Enables the GGSN to notify the Cisco IOS SLB
when a UMTS QoS CAC failure has caused a
Create PDP Context request to be rejected.
Step 3 Router-GGSN(config)# gprs slb vserver ip_address Configures the Cisco IOS SLB virtual server(s) to
[next-hop ip ip-address [vrf name]] be notified by a GGSN when the condition defined
using the gprs slb notify command occurs.
Optionally, also configures the IP address of the
next-hop that can be used to reach the virtual server
and specifies the VPN routing and forwarding
instance.

To enable CAC failure notification support on the Cisco IOS SLB, use the following command in virtual
server mode:

Command Purpose
Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# gtp notification cac Enables support of GGSN-IOS SLB messaging CAC failure
count notifications and configures the maximum number of times
a rejected Create PDP Context can be reassigned to a new
real GGSN. The default is 2 (including the initial send, 3
real selections per session).

Configuring Support for GGSN-IOS SLB Messaging Delete Notifications (GTP IMSI Sticky Database Support)

When support for delete notifications is configured on the GGSN and the Cisco IOS SLB, a sticky
database entry is created on the Cisco IOS SLB when the first Create PDP Context request from a
subscriber is received. When the last PDP context of that IMSI is deleted on the GGSN, the GGSN sends
a delete notification to the Cisco IOS SLB that instructs the Cisco IOS SLB to remove the sticky entry
from the database.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-23
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuring GTP Load Balancing

Note This configuration requires that the virtual virtual server configuration command be configured with the
service gtp keywords specified.

Note If the sticky gtp imsi command is configured under multiple vservers, the group number configuration
facilitate sharing of the sticky object in the event the same MS connects through different vservers. All
vservers that have the same sticky group number share the sticky IMSI entry for a user.

To configure the GGSN to send a delete notification to the Cisco IOS SLB when the last PDP context of
an IMSI is deleted on the GGSN, complete the following tasks while in global configuration mode:

Command Description
Step 1 Router-GGSN(config)# gprs slb mode {dispatched | Defines the Cisco IOS SLB operation mode for
directed} GGSN-IOS SLB messaging. The default is
dispatched mode.
Step 2 Router-GGSN(config)# gprs slb notify session-deletion Configures the GGSN to send a delete notification
message to the Cisco IOS SLB when the last PDP
context associated with an IMSI is deleted.
Step 3 Router-GGSN(config)# gprs slb vservers ip_address Configures the Cisco IOS SLB virtual server(s) to
[next-hop ip ip-address [vrf name]] be notified by a GGSN when the condition defined
using the gprs slb notify command occurs.
Optionally, also configures the IP address of the
next-hop that can be used to reach the virtual server
and specifies the VPN routing and forwarding
instance.

To configure GTP IMSI sticky database support on the Cisco IOS SLB, complete the following task
while in virtual server configuration mode:

Command Purpose
Router-SLB(config-slb-vserver)# sticky gtp imsi [group Enables Cisco IOS SLB to load-balance GTP Create PDP
number] Context requests to the same real server that processed all
previous create requests for a given IMSI.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-24 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Monitoring and Maintaining the Cisco IOS SLB Feature

Monitoring and Maintaining the Cisco IOS SLB Feature


To clear, obtain, and display GTP SLB information on the GGSN, use the following commands in
privileged EXEC mode:

Command Purpose
Router-GGSN# clear gprs slb statistics Clears Cisco IOS SLB statistics.

Router-GGSN# show gprs slb detail Displays all Cisco IOS SLB-related information,
such as operation mode, virtual server addresses for
GGSN-IOS SLB messaging, SLB notifications, and
statistics.
Router-GGSN# show gprs slb mode Displays the Cisco IOS SLB mode of operation.
Router-GGSN# show gprs slb statistics Displays Cisco IOS SLB statistics.

Router-GGSN# show gprs slb vservers Displays a list of defined Cisco IOS SLB virtual
servers for GGSN-IOS SLB messaging.

To obtain and display information about the GTP SLB on the Cisco IOS SLB, use the following
commands in privileged EXEC mode on the Cisco IOS SLB:

Command Purpose
Router-SLB# show ip slb conns [vserver virtual_server-name | Displays all connections handled by Cisco
client ip-address | firewall firewallfarm-name] [detail] IOS SLB, or, optionally, only the connections
associated with a particular virtual server or client.
Router-SLB# show ip slb dfp [agent agent_ip_address Displays information about DFP and DFP agents,
port-number | manager manager_ip_address | detail | weights] and about the weights assigned to real servers.
Router-SLB# show ip slb gtp {gsn [gsn-ip-address] | nsapi Displays Cisco IOS SLB GTP information when
[nsapi-key] [detail] GTP load balancing with cause code inspection is
enabled.
Router-SLB# show ip slb map [id] Displays information about Cisco IOS SLB
protocol maps.
Router-SLB# show ip slb reals [sfarm server-farm] [detail] Displays information about the real servers defined
to Cisco IOS SLB.
Router-SLB# show ip slb replicate Displays information about the Cisco IOS SLB
replication configuration.
Router-SLB# show ip slb serverfarms [name serverfarm-name] Displays information about the server farms defined
[detail] to Cisco IOS SLB.
Router-SLB show ip slb sessions [gtp | gtp-inspect | radius] Displays information about sessions handled by
[vserver virtual-server] [client ip-addr netmask] [detail] Cisco IOS SLB.
Note With GTP load balancing without cause
code inspection, a session lasts no longer
than the duration of the virtual server GTP
idler time specified using the idle gtp
request command.

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-25
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuration Examples

Command Purpose
Router=SLB# show ip slb stats Displays Cisco IOS SLB statistics.
Router-SLB# show ip slb sticky gtp imsi [id imsi] Displays only entries of the Cisco IOS SLB sticky
database associated with the Cisco IOS SLB GTP
IMSI sticky database, and shows all of the Network
Service Access Point Identifiers (NSAPIs) that the
user has used as primary PDPs.
Optionally, displays only those sticky database
entries associated with the specified IMSI.
Router-SLB# show ip slb vserver [name virtual_server] Displays information about the virtual servers
[redirect] [detail] defined to Cisco IOS SLB.

Configuration Examples
This section provides an example of the GGSN Cisco IOS SLB examples. For complete descriptions of
the GGSN commands in this section, refer to the Cisco GGSN Release Command Reference. For
complete descriptions of the Cisco IOS SLB commands in this section, refer to the IOS Server Load
Balancing feature module documentation.
This section includes examples of Cisco IOS SLB with GTP load balancing and NAT configured on the
Cisco 7600 platform:
• Cisco IOS SLB Configuration Example, page 13-26
• GGSN1 Configuration Example, page 13-28

Cisco IOS SLB Configuration Example


hostname 7600-a
!
ip slb probe PINGPROBE ping
interval 3
faildetect 3
!
ip slb serverfarm SAMI1
nat server
probe PINGPROBE
!
real 9.9.9.72
reassign 4
faildetect numconns 255 numclients 8
inservice
!
real 9.9.9.73
reassign 4
faildetect numconns 255 numclients 8
inservice
!
real 9.9.9.74
reassign 4
faildetect numconns 255 numclients 8
inservice
!
real 9.9.9.75
reassign 4

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-26 OL-19936-02
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuration Examples

faildetect numconns 255 numclients 8


inservice
!
real 9.9.9.76
reassign 4
faildetect numconns 255 numclients 8
inservice
!
ip slb vserver V0-GGSN
virtual 10.10.10.10 udp 3386 service gtp
serverfarm SAMI1
idle gtp request 100
inservice
!
ip slb vserver V1-GGSN
virtual 10.10.10.10 udp 2123 service gtp
serverfarm SAMI1
idle gtp request 100
inservice
!
ip slb dfp password ciscodfp 0
agent 9.9.9.72 1111 30 0 10
agent 9.9.9.73 1111 30 0 10
agent 9.9.9.74 1111 30 0 10
agent 9.9.9.75 1111 30 0 10
agent 9.9.9.76 1111 30 0 10
!
interface FastEthernet9/36
description TO SGSN
no ip address
switchport
switchport access vlan 302
!
interface Vlan101
description Vlan to GGSN for GN
ip address 10.1.1.1 255.255.255.0
!
interface Vlan302
ip address 40.0.2.1 255.255.255.0
!
router ospf 300
log-adjacency-changes
summary-address 9.9.9.0 255.255.255.0
redistribute static subnets route-map GGSN-routes
network 40.0.2.0 0.0.0.255 area 300
network 40.0.3.0 0.0.0.255 area 300
!
ip route 9.9.9.72 255.255.255.255 10.1.1.72
ip route 9.9.9.73 255.255.255.255 10.1.1.73
ip route 9.9.9.74 255.255.255.255 10.1.1.74
ip route 9.9.9.75 255.255.255.255 10.1.1.75
ip route 9.9.9.76 255.255.255.255 10.1.1.76
!
access-list 1 permit 9.9.9.0 0.0.0.255
!
route-map GGSN-routes permit 10
match ip address 1
!
!

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
OL-19936-02 13-27
Chapter 13 Configuring Load Balancing on the GGSN
Configuration Examples

GGSN1 Configuration Example


!
ip dfp agent gprs
port 1111
password ciscodfp 0
inservice
!
interface Loopback100
description GPRS GTP V-TEMPLATE IP ADDRESS
ip address 9.9.9.72 255.255.255.0
!
interface GigabitEthernet0/0.2
description Gn Interface
encapsulation dot1Q 101
ip address 10.1.1.72 255.255.255.0
no cdp enable
!
interface Virtual-Template1
description GTP v-access
ip unnumbered Loopback100
encapsulation gtp
gprs access-point-list gprs
!
! route to SGSNs
ip route 40.1.2.1 255.255.255.255 10.1.1.1
ip route 40.2.2.1 255.255.255.255 10.1.1.1

Cisco GGSN Release 9.0 Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)YE1
13-28 OL-19936-02

You might also like